Falanghina

The Falanghina grape is a variety thought to derive from the ancient Greek-Balkan strains and takes its name from the Italian “falanga”, the stake supporting the vines.

The Falanghina grape was almost abandoned, but after its vines survived the phylloxera, it gained prominence and went through a period of renaissance and it is now widely cultivated in Campania and beyond, in particular the Sannio Beneventano, the Campi Flegrei and the Caserta areas.

The Falanghina grape is one of the main variety in several wines made in Campania, in together with the other native Campania grapes or on its own, including the DOC Guardiolo, Sant’Agata dei Goti, Sannio, Solopaca and Taburno. The Falanghina grape is also widely used in the production of sparkling wines.

Falanghina berries are white in colour and medium-sized, with a regular, spheroid shape and a thick, firm skin of greyish-yellow. Leaves are small to medium-sized, and wedge-shaped. With a high yield and a consistent productivity, the Falanghina usually matures in the latter weeks of September. The grape manages to retain its main characteristics, even when grown and cultivated in different climates and terrain types.

Falangina wines tend to be straw coloured, pale white wine, with hues of green with a fruity and fresh nose and a velvety and delicate palate. In the last few years, wooden aged Falanghina have started to appear with discreet success.